Disc player with two disc storage magazines

ABSTRACT

A disc player (1) has two record storage magazines (3) with a multiplicity of stacked disc holders (6), each holding a disc (5), in storage compartments (10). A transporting device (4) moves a selected disc (5) with its holder (6) to and fro between a storage compartment (10) and a playback unit (7). The transporting device (4) has two independently controllable extraction devices (12) for the disc holders (6), and these extraction devices (12) may travel horizontally on the transporting device (4). Either the two extraction devices (12) are ready to extract a holder (6) for a disc (5) from the appropriate record storage magazine (3), or one extraction device (12) has been taken to a central position in which it secures a disc (5) with its holder (6) taken from the appropriate record storage magazine (3) in alignment with the turntable (8) of the playback unit (7) while the other extraction device (12) remains in readiness for the other record storage magazine (3).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a disc player including two disc storagemagazines which are disposed opposite one another and which are providedwith a plurality of superposed disc holders that are stored incompartments. Each disc holder accommodates one disc. The player furthercomprises a transporting device that includes an extraction deviceequipped with a gripping arm and is movable in the stack direction ofthe disc storage magazines so as to transport a desired disc and theassociated disc holder back and forth between the compartment and aplayback unit.

DE 3,521,913.C2 discloses a disc player having two oppositely disposeddisc storage magazines between which a chute extends in the verticaldirection. Within the chute, a playback unit is displaceable with theaid of a lifting device. A disc extraction device is disposed at therear of the disc storage magazines and is equipped with extraction armswhich can be moved toward and away from one another. Moreover, theextraction arms are also vertically or laterally displaceable by meansof the disc extraction device. Thus, in order to play a disc, it isnecessary, on the one hand, to displace the playback unit by means ofthe lifting device to a height which coincides with the height of thedisc holder carrying the selected disc in the disc storage magazine and,on the other hand, to bring the extraction arms of the disc extractiondevice to this height by moving the disc extraction device in thevertical direction so as to transport the turntable carrying the desireddisc to the playback unit. Therefore, in order to play a disc, theplayback unit and the disc extraction device must each be moved as aseparate component.

Additionally, DE 3,328,328.A1 discloses a disc changer including aplayback device, a turntable rotatably mounted in a frame, and a loadingdevice for transporting a disc away from and to the turntable. Theloading device includes a platform which is able to move up and downrelative to the turntable, a magazine including a number of disc holderswhich are displaceable horizontally into and out of the platform, atransporting mechanism which cooperates with the respective disc holdersalong the platform in order to move the disc holders out of the magazineto the platform, and a lifting mechanism including a lifting compartmentfor the magazine in order to move the magazine into a desired heightposition. In order to press a disc against the turntable, the loadingdevice cooperates by means of a pivotally mounted, spring tensionedpress-on lever with a disc hold-down member. Thus, playing a disc hererequires moving the magazine with the aid of the lifting mechanism ofthe lifting compartment, starting the transporting mechanism for thedisc holder, moving the platform in the direction toward the playbackdevice and pivoting the press-on lever together with the disc hold-downmember. Therefore, in this disc changer as well, two separate componentsmust be moved relative to one another, namely the magazine and theplatform.

Furthermore, EP 0,138,005.B1 discloses a disc changer in which avertically displaceable disc removal device is disposed between twovertical disc sleeves which accommodate disc magazines in which discsare stored. The disc removal device supports a disc sleeve gripper whichis horizontally displaceable thereon. This disc sleeve gripper isprovided with two gripping devices, one of which is selectively disposedin its ready position in the left or right disc magazine while the othergripping device holds a removed disc sleeve in the center position inwhich the disc is disposed above the turntable of the playback device.Thus only one gripping device of the disc sleeve gripper is able at anyone time to take on a ready position for removing a disc sleeve from theassociated disc magazine. That is, if a disc sleeve is to be removedfrom the other disc magazine, the disc sleeve gripper must first bemoved in the direction of this disc magazine to bring the other grippingdevice into a ready position for the removal of a disc sleeve from itsassociated disc magazine, which constitutes an additional displacementpath for the disc sleeve gripper, increasing the time for transportingthe disc sleeve containing the desired disc from the disc magazine tothe turntable of the playback unit.

Finally, EP 0,280.263.A2 discloses a disc player in which the discs aredeposited in two stacks and can be played at two playing stations. Theindividual discs can be played from two sides. After playing, the discsare no longer returned to the same stack. In this device, an endlessconveyor belt is configured as an extraction device. Thus, it ispossible to remove a disc from one of the two magazines without waitingtime. The position of the extraction device of this unit cannot beutilized to monitor the disc position. The slightest irregularity duringtransport of the discs, for example, upon transfer of the discs from theplayback device or due to shocks to the system, may lead to seriousdisturbances in operation which are unacceptable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a disc player of theabove-mentioned type which, with a simple and compact configuration,permits extremely short paths to be traversed for the transporting of adisc holder carrying the desired disc from the respective disc storagemagazine to the playback unit and vice versa.

This is accomplished by the invention in that the transporting deviceincludes a second extraction device for the disc holders which isindependently controllable of the first extraction device, with the twoextraction devices, which are horizontally movable on the transportingdevice, each being in a ready position for the removal of a disc holderfor a disc disposed in the associated disc storage magazine, or with theone extraction device being moved into a center position in which itfixes the disc and its disc holder, after removal from the associateddisc storage magazine, concentrically with the turntable of the playbackunit while the other extraction device remains in its ready position forthe other disc storage magazine.

The disc player according to the invention is thus provided with twodisc holder extraction devices which can each be controlledindependently of the other and which may both be in their respectiveready positions in the disc storage magazines or one of which is movedinto the center position in which it has transported a disc holder ontothe transporting device while the other extraction device remains in itsready position in the other disc storage magazine. This results in anoptimally short transporting path for the individual disc and theassociated disc holder so that the transporting times for the disc andthe disc holder are correspondingly short. Consequently, the informationstored on the disc can be made audible relatively quickly.

The disc player according to the invention is particularly suitable forthe use of a playback unit which employs a laser light pen to scan anaudio disc. Such discs, known as "compact discs", have a long playingtime and nevertheless a small diameter up to 8 cm, so that it ispossible to employ a playback unit and disc storage magazines of acompact construction giving the disc player as a whole a relativelysmall structural size.

In order for the disc to be most accurately positioned for playing onthe turntable of the playback unit, an advantageous feature of theinvention provides that the transporting device which carries a disc andits disc holder, when moved downward into its end position beyond theplayback unit, places the disc onto the turntable by lifting it out ofthe disc holder and presses it against the turntable by means of a dischold-down member fixed to the transporting device.

In order to permit the playing of discs in immediate timely succession,as it is required in discotheques, a further feature of the inventionarranges a plurality of playback units, each having its associatedtransporting device, in a row through the intermediary of a disc storagemagazine which is open on both sides and is accessible to adjacenttransporting devices, with a further disc storage magazine beingprovided at each end of the row.

To facilitate the changing of discs in the magazines, each disc storagemagazine, according to an advantageous modification of the invention, islocked in its stationary position with the housing of the disc player,can be pivoted out of the housing about a pivot axis as soon as a firstlock has been released and can be removed from the housing after asecond lock has been released. Advisably, the two locks on the discstorage magazine are here connected with a displacement lever by way ofa rod assembly in such a manner that the disc storage magazine isunlocked when the displacement lever is moved in the one directionenabling it to pivot out and is unlocked in the other direction forremoval. This enhances ease of operation.

In order to prevent the disc holders from sliding out of the discstorage magazine while the disc player is possibly in a pivotedposition, for example during transport of the disc player, anadvantageous feature of the solution according to the invention has eachdisc holder positioned in a secure position in the compartment by meansof two oppositely disposed spring elements attached to the disc storagemagazine. In this position the disc holder projects beyond the discstorage magazine to the extent that it can be gripped by the extractiondevice of the transporting device. Advisably, each spring element ishere configured as a U-shaped bar whose legs engage in guide grooves atthe disc storage magazine and whose cross bar is given a notch in thecenter which engages in a recess disposed at the corresponding long sideof the disc holder. Preferably, the bars which are associated with thereceiving compartments on one side are connected with one another toform a continuous band in the region of their legs so that theinstallation of the spring elements is substantially facilitated.

It is further preferred for the disc holder to be provided with aplurality of nubs on its underside in the plane of the oppositelydisposed recesses so as to prevent the disc lying on the disc holdertherebelow from falling out. Advisably, one of the nubs cooperates witha switch contact for determining the presence of a disc in thecompartment.

In order to realize a particularly simple and reliable position of thedisc in the disc holder and release of the same during the playingprocess, an advantageous feature of the invention provides the discholder with a recess for accommodating the disc. This recess has asloped edge region which changes to a vertical edge region. In thebottom of the recess, there is an opening into which the turntable ofthe playback unit can be introduced. The bottom of the recess has anedge shoulder which is divided into two opposing segments so as tosupport the disc in its edge region where no data are stored.

In order for the disc holder to be gripped by the extraction device ofthe transporting device independently of its inserted position in thecompartment, an advantageous feature of the invention provides the discholder with a recess at its long sides, in each case in the forwardregion on the underside and, corresponding to the position of the discholder in the compartment, the gripping arm of the extraction device ofthe transporting device can be brought into engagement with one of theserecesses.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the extraction device ofthe transporting device, the gripping arm can be moved into and out of areciprocating carriage and, in the starting position of the carriage, isheld in its inserted position by a spring tensioned angle lever withassociated stop lever so that, if the carriage moves out of the startingposition, the angle lever moves the carriage into the extended positionin which it engages in the recess of the disc holder. Thereafter thecarriage remains in that position due to the provision of a stationarystop lying against its rear side. Preferably, the stop lever articulatedto the angle lever is able to pivot the angle lever in such a mannerthat, when the carriage moves into its starting position delimited by astop angle, the angle lever engages in a corresponding recess in thegripping arm and pulls the latter into its retracted position in thecarriage. Preferably a light barrier is associated with the angle leverso as to determine the starting position of the carriage. Advisably, theabutment for the rear of the gripping arm is formed by a wall of theupper portion of the transporting device and by a round pin which isdisposed at the end next to this wall and is fastened to the lowerportion of the transporting device.

For reliable back and forth movement of the carriage, an advantageousmodification of the solution according to the invention provides thatthe carriages of the extraction devices (12), which carriages are guidedon a carrying rod so as to be slidably movable, can each be driven byway of a belt drive and worm gear and by a motor whose direction ofrotation can be reversed. Of course, instead of the belt drive, a cablepulley, a spindle drive or the like may also be employed.

In order to make the carriage manually movable as well, a frictionclutch is advisably provided between the worm gear and the drive wheelof the toothed belt of the belt drive. Moreover, when a disc holder isremoved from a compartment by means of the carriage of the oneextraction device, the carriage of the other extraction devicepreferably lies in the end position of the disc holder on a U-shapedsupporting arm of the transporting device to serve as abutment.

For monitoring the correct position of the disc holder on the U-shapedsupporting arm of the transporting device, an advantageous modificationof the invention provides that the supporting arm of the transportingdevice has an associated light barrier for monitoring the concentricposition of the disc stored in the disc holder relative to the turntableof the playback unit, with the disc holder being provided with anappropriately disposed light passage opening. As an alternative, it isalso possible to associate each end of the supporting arm of thetransporting device with a light barrier for monitoring the concentricposition of the disc stored in the disc holder relative to the turntableof the playback unit.

In order to realize a compact association of the transporting devicewith the playback unit and the disc storage magazine, a furtheradvantageous feature of the invention provides that the transportingdevice is mounted so as to be slidably movable on two verticallyextending guide rods which are attached to the rear of the housing. Thetransporting device can be moved up and down by means of a double beltdrive and a drive motor whose direction of rotation is reversible. Ofcourse, a rope pulley, a spindle drive or the like may also be employedinstead of the belt drive. Preferably the drive motor which isconfigured as a stepping motor, is provided with a vane wheel on itsshaft, with this wheel running in the fork of a fork coupler generatingpositioning pulses. In this way, it is ensured that the transportingdevice is held in front of the compartments of the disc storage magazineat the precise intended position.

In order to realize a simply configured and reliably operating dischold-down member in the transporting device, the disc hold-down memberin a further advantageous embodiment of the invention includes astationary holding arm extending parallel to the supporting arm of thetransporting device and equipped with a holding head in which a discpress-on insert including a magnet disposed in its center is arranged soas to be longitudinally displaceable and able to freely swing back andforth, with the magnet cooperating with the magnetizable drive shaft ofthe turntable of the playback unit. Advisably, the disc press-on insertof the holding head is provided with a circumferential flat rubber ringon its edge. This ring, due to the force acting between the magnet andthe drive shaft of the turntable, presses the disc onto the turntablewhen the transporting device is in its end position. Furthermore, thedisc press-on insert is preferably supported, by way of a cone connectedwith it, in a corresponding receiving opening of a partition in theholding head.

In an advantageous alternative embodiment of the invention, the dischold-down member is provided with a stationary holding arm and holdinghead which extend parallel to the supporting arm of the transportingdevice and in which a disc press-on insert including a magnet disposedin its center is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable with arelatively large amount of play. In the rest position of the discpress-on insert, the magnet cooperates with a magnetizable steel plateinserted into the holding head and, in the operating position of thedisc press-on insert, the magnet cooperates with the magnetizable driveshaft of the turntable of the playback unit. Thus, in the rest positionof the disc hold-down member, there results a defined distance from thedisc holder and its inserted disc, which ensures low structural height.Preferably, the magnetizable steel plate is clipped into the undersideof the cover of the holding head and cooperates with the magnet by wayof a magnetizable steel rod which is inserted into the disc press-oninsert. In order to fix the disc reliably on the turntable, the discpress-on insert is advisably provided with three 120° offset nubs on theperiphery of its underside. Due to the action of forces between themagnet and the drive shaft of the turntable in the position of thetransporting device, these nubs urge the disc onto the turntable.

According to another advantageous modification of the subject matter ofthe invention, a disc storage magazine has an associated drawer whichaccommodates a disc holder and an inserted disc. In the inserted stateof the drawer, this disc holder and its disc can be transported by meansof the transporting device to the playback unit and back from there intothe drawer and, in the pulled-out state of the drawer, the disc carriedby the disc holder can be exchanged manually. In this way, it ispossible in a simple manner to play and store an individual disc withouthaving to correspondingly change it in a disc storage magazine, that is,a disc not included in a disc storage magazine can be played and storedindividually.

In order to permit the direct playing of an individual disc, a specialoperator key is preferably provided at the disc player by way of whichthe transporting device can be moved from its lower end position into anupper end position and subsequently back into the lower end position,with the playback unit being turned on by way of a further operator key.In the upper end position of the transporting device, it is thuspossible to manually place a single disc onto the turntable of theplayback unit and to remove it again.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disc player showing a further, seriesconnected disc player in dashed lines;

FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the disc player of FIG. 1 in anenlarged representation but, for the sake of clarity, without theoppositely disposed disc storage magazines;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view seen from the bottom and to an enlargedscale of a disc storage magazine of the disc player of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the disc holder of FIG. 3 seen along lineIV--IV;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the rear portion of the transporting device ofthe disc player of FIG. 1 to an enlarged scale and with the centralregion and the upper portion of the transporting device omitted;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view to an enlarged scale of the transporting deviceof the disc player of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front view to an enlarged scale, partially in section, ofthe transporting device and of the playback unit of the disc player ofFIG. 1 during playing of a disc;

FIG. 8 is a front view to an enlarged scale of an alternative embodimentof the disc hold-down member of the transporting device of FIG. 7 in therest position;

FIG. 9 is a partial bottom view of the disc hold-down member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the disc hold-down member of FIG. 8 inthe operating position; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the disc player of FIG. 1 including adrawer for accommodating a single disc holder with inserted disc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Information stored on discs can be read out, (for example, optically)and reproduced by a disc player 1. The disc player 1 comprises a housing2 having an associated operating panel (not shown) which includesvarious keys, for example a disc selection key, a disc playing key and astop key. On the side of the housing 2, disc storage magazines 3 arearranged opposite one another. In the space between disc storagemagazines 3, there is disposed a transporting device 4 that can be movedup and down to move a disc holder 6 accommodating a disc 5. A playbackunit 7 including a turntable 8, a motor (not shown) for rotatingturntable 8, and a playing head 9 is arranged stationarily between andbelow the two oppositely disposed disc storage magazines 3.

Both disc storage magazines 3 have the identical configuration and areeach equipped with a plurality of superposed compartments 10 for thestorage of a corresponding number of disc holders 6 each accommodatingone disc 5. In compartment 10, disc holder 6 is secured in its positionby means of two oppositely disposed spring elements 11 (see FIG. 3)which are attached to disc storage magazine 3. In this position, discholder 6 projects beyond the two possible extraction sides of discstorage magazine 3 enabling an extraction device 12 (see FIGS. 2 and 5)of transporting device 4 to grip it. On each of the oppositely disposedinterior faces of disc storage magazine 3 there are disposed two guidegrooves 13 (see FIG. 3) which engage the legs of spring elements 11 thatare configured as U-shaped bars. The crossbar of each spring element 11is provided with a notch 15 in the center which projects into theinterior of compartment 10 and engages in a recess 17 arranged centrallyat the corresponding long side 16 of disc holder 6. In order tofacilitate manufacture and installation of the spring elements, springelements 11 are combined into a continuous band on each side ofcompartments 10, with the springs being connected with one another inthe region of their legs 14.

Each disc storage magazine 3 is held in its stationary position by wayof two locks 19, 20 attached to the frontal face 18 of housing 2. Eachlock is composed of an upper and a lower snap-in mechanism. Both locks19, 20 are connected by way of a rod assembly, not shown, with adisplacement lever 21. Movement of displacement lever 21 in thedirection toward disc storage magazine 3 causes the first lock 19 to bereleased so that disc storage magazine 3 is able to be pivoted aboutpivot axis 22 to the exterior of housing 2, to thus facilitate theexchange of discs 5 stored in disc holders 6. Movement of displacementlever 21 away from disc storage magazine 3 also releases the second lock20 so that disc storage magazine 3 as a whole can be removed fromhousing 2. Of course, transporting device 4 must be in its end positionbelow the bottom 23 of disc storage magazine 3 during the outwardpivoting and removal of disc storage magazine 3.

At its upper face, disc holder 6 has a central recess 24 (see FIG. 4) toaccommodate disc 5. Recess 24 has a sloped edge region 25 which changesto a vertical edge region 26. The diameter of the vertical edge region26 of recess 24 is here somewhat larger than the diameter of disc 5. Anopening 28 (see FIG. 3) is provided in the bottom 27 of recess 24 intowhich, on the one hand, turntable 8 can be introduced from the bottom inorder to rotate disc 5 and through which, on the other hand, the lightbeam of playing head 9 scans disc 5. A shoulder edge 29 provided at thebottom 27 of recess 24 serves to support disc 5 in its edge region whichcarries no stored data. Due to opening 28, this shoulder edge issubdivided into two facing segments. In the plane of the oppositelydisposed recesses 17, a plurality of juxtaposed nubs 30 are provided onthe underside of bottom 27 so as to accommodate the spring elements 11.These nubs 30 prevent the disc 5 resting on its disc holder 6 below itfrom falling out when the disc storage magazine 3 is in an obliqueposition. In order to be able to check the correct position of discholder 6 in compartment 10, one of nubs 30 may be associated with aswitch contact fastened to disc storage magazine 3.

On each one of its long sides 16, disc holder 6 is provided with arecess 31, in each case in the forward region of its underside.Corresponding to the association of transporting device 4 with discstorage magazine 3 and the insertion position of disc holder 6 incompartment 10, a gripping arm 32 (see FIG. 5) of extraction device 12of transporting device 4 is able to engage in one of these recesses 31in order to transport disc holder 6 onto a U-shaped carrier arm 33 (alsosee FIGS. 2 and 6) at the bottom portion 34 of transporting device 4.Gripping arm 32 is mounted so as to move in and out in a carriage 35,with carriage 35 moving back and forth by means of a belt drive 38 on asupporting rod 37 extending between two stop angles 36. In the startingposition, carriage 35 lies against stop angle 36 and gripping arm 32 isheld in its position in which it is retracted into carriage 35 by aspring tensioned angle lever 39 which is articulated to bottom portion34. The free end of one arm 40 of angle lever 39 engages in acorresponding recess 41 in gripping arm 32. The other arm 42 of anglelever 39 is connected with a tension spring 43 that is fastened to a pin44 attached to lower portion 34. At its end, arm 42 is provided with anangled portion 45 which cooperates, through an opening 46 in lowerportion 34, with a light barrier 48 (see FIG. 6) provided on theunderside of lower portion 34 on a printed circuit board 47 in order tomonitor the starting position of carriage 35. Moreover, a stop lever 49is hinged to arm 42 and is guided by way of a pin/long hole connection50 so that, when carriage 35 moves toward stop angle 46, the free end ofstop lever 49 comes to lie on carriage 35 and thus the angle lever ispivoted against the force of tension spring 43, thus introducing arm 40into a recess 41 in gripping arm 32 and returning gripping arm 32 intoits retracted position in carriage 35. If the carriage is moved out ofits starting position away from stop angle 36, the force of tensionspring 43 pivots angle lever 39, thus moving gripping arm 32 out ofcarriage 35 beyond the arm 40 of angle lever 39 to engage the recess 31in disc holder 6 which faces it. Shortly before gripping arm 32 isreleased by arm 40 of angle lever 39, the rear face 51 of gripping arm32 comes to lie against a stop in order to prevent gripping arm 32 fromsliding out of its extended position. This stop is formed by a wall 52of upper portion 53 (see FIG. 2) of transporting device 4 and by a roundpin 54 lying next to this wall 52 at the ends and fastened to the lowerportion 34 of transporting device 4.

The belt drive 38 for movement of carriage 35 includes a worm gear 55(see FIG. 6) and a motor 56 whose direction of rotation is reversible.The worm wheel of worm gear 55 is connected with a cylindrical extension57 of a drive wheel 58 for the toothed belt 59 of belt drive 38. Afriction coupling 60 is built into the extension 57 of drive wheel 58. Atensioning roller 61 for toothed belt 59 is disposed in the vicinity ofdrive wheel 58. The toothed belt is guided over reversal rollers 62attached at the ends of transporting device 4 and is fastened tocarriage 35. Carriage 35 which belongs to the left extraction device 12(see FIG. 5) is connected with the rear toothed belt 59 while carriage35 of the extraction device 12 disposed on the right is fastened to theforward toothed belt 59. Upon the removal of a disc holder 6 from acompartment 10 by means of the carriage 35 of the one extraction device12, the carriage 35 of the other extraction device 12 serves asabutment, if disc holder 6 is in its end position on the U-shapedsupporting arm 33 of transporting device 4, in which the disc 5 storedin disc holder 6 is concentric with turntable 8 of playback unit 7. Inorder to monitor this concentric position of disc 5, a light barrier 63(see FIG. 6) is provided at supporting arm 33 and cooperates with alight passage opening appropriately provided in disc holder 6.

Two mutually parallel and vertically extending guide rods 64 (see FIGS.2 and 7) are disposed on the rear of housing 2 and provide for slidablemovement of transporting device 4. The guide rod 64 arranged centrallyin housing 2 has an associated parallel toothed belt 66 which is guidedover reversal rollers 65 and which is connected by way of a clamp mount67 with transporting device 4. The lower reversal roller 65 for toothedbelt 66 is coupled with a further reversal roller 68 for a toothed belt69 which is connected with the drive wheel 70 of a drive motor 71 whosedirection of rotation is reversible. The shaft 72 of drive motor 71further supports a vane wheel 73 whose vanes move in the fork of a forkcoupler 74 that generates positioning pulses. With the aid of thepositioning pulses it is possible to realize an accurate association oftransporting device 4 with the compartments 10 of disc storage magazines3. Moreover, transporting device 4 is connected by way of a flexibleguide cable 75 with the control device (not shown) of the disc player.

A disc hold-down member 76 is disposed at the upper portion 53 oftransporting device 4. A holding arm 77 (see FIG. 7) extending fromupper portion 53 parallel to support arm 33 of transporting device 4 isprovided at its free end with a holding head 79 that is closed by acover 78. In the conical receiving opening 80 of a partition 81 ofholding head 79, there is provided a cone 82 which is mounted so as tobe longitudinally displaceable and able to swing back and forth freely.The cone is connected with a disc press-on insert 83 disposed withinholding head 79. A magnet 85 is disposed in the center of the discpress-on insert 83 and cooperates with the magnetizable drive shaft 84of turntable 8 of playback unit 7. On its side facing disc 5, the edgeof disc press-on insert 83 is provided with a circumferential flatrubber ring 86. Due to the force acting between magnet 85 and driveshaft 84 when transporting device 4 is in its end position, in whichdisc holder 6 is disposed below the top of turntable 8 and has releasedthe disc 5 stored in it, the flat rubber ring presses this disc 5against turntable 8.

In the alternative embodiment of disc hold-down member 76 shown in FIGS.8 to 10, holding head 79 accommodates disc press-on insert 83 in amanner making it longitudinally displaceable with relatively greatlateral play. A magnetizable steel rod 87 which, in the rest position ofdisc press-on insert 83, extends to shortly below cover 78 of holdinghead 79, rests on a magnet 85 disposed in the center of disc press-oninsert 83. A magnetizable steel plate 88 is clipped into the undersideof cover 78 and cooperates by way of steel rod 87 with magnet 85 to thushold disc press-on insert 8 in its rest position within holding head 79.If now transporting device 4 and disc hold-down member 76 move intotheir end position, the magnetic force between magnet 85 and themagnetizable drive shaft 84 of turntable 8 becomes greater than themagnetic force between magnet 85 as well as magnetizable steel rod 87and the magnetizable steel plate 88 so that disc press-on insert 83 isdisplaced downwardly out of holding head 79 and presses disc 5 againstturntable 8 by means of three nubs 89 which are disposed on itsunderside mutually offset by 120°. As soon as disc hold-down member 76is moved out of this operating position again, the magnetic flux betweenmagnet 85 as well as steel rod 87 and steel plate 88 causes discpress-on insert 83 to go back to its rest position. A sleeve 91 placedonto steel rod 87 and provided with an annular flange 90 preventsextraction of disc press-on insert 83 from holding head 79.

Disc player 1, all of whose motion sequences are monitored by a controldevice (not shown) operates as follows: if, for example, a disc 5 storedin the right disc storage magazine 3 has been selected by means of thekeyboard on the operator panel, transporting device 4 moves to a heightwhich coincides with the height of that compartment 10 of disc storagemagazine 3 in which the selected disc 5 and its disc holder 6 aredisposed. Then the extraction device 12 of transporting device 4 facingdisc storage magazine 3 is put into operation so that initially thegripping arm 32 of carriage 35 engages the recess 31 of disc holder 6facing it and then, by movement of carriage 35 until it stops at theother carriage 35, transports disc holder 6 and disc 5 from compartment10 to supporting arm 33 of transporting device 4. As soon as disc holder6 has taken on its final position on supporting arm 33, in which thedisc 5 is concentric with the turntable 8 of playback unit 7,transporting device 4 moves in the direction of playback unit 7. Whendisc holder 6 is set down on playback unit 7, turntable 8 of playbackunit 7 is introduced through opening 28 into disc holder 6 so that disc5 is released from disc holder 6 and the central region of disc 5 comesto lie on turntable 8. At the same time, in this end position oftransporting device 4, the attraction between magnet 85 and drive shaft84 of turntable 8 urges the flat rubber ring 86 of disc press-on insert83 of disc hold-down member 76 against the upper face of disc 5, thuscausing the cone 82 of disc press-on insert 83 to be displaced upwardlyout of receiving opening 80 in partition 81 of holding head 79. Thenturntable 8 of playback unit 7 is caused to rotate, enabling playbackhead 9 to optically read out the information stored on disc 5 and thenreproduce it, for example, in the form of music. At the end of theinformation readout from disc 5, the latter is returned in an analogousmanner by transporting device 4 to its associated compartment 10. Thenthe transporting device returns empty to its end position above playbackunit 7.

In the disc player 1 shown in FIG. 11, the left disc storage magazine 3is shortened at its lower end by the height of a drawer 92 that can beintroduced into and removed from disc player 1. Drawer 92 accommodates adisc holder 6 equipped with a disc 5 and, when drawer 92 is pushed in,this disc holder can be gripped by transporting device 4. For thispurpose, disc holder 6 projects laterally beyond drawer 92. In thepulled-out state of drawer 92, it is easy to exchange disc 5 manually.

The described embodiment demonstrates the easy and practicallymanipulated structure of the disc player which, despite its simplicity,is nevertheless particularly reliable in operation.

I claim:
 1. A disc player for playing discs, comprising:a plurality ofdisc holders, each disc holder accommodating one of the discs; a firststorage magazine having compartments to store disc holders so that thediscs accommodate therein are disposed parallel to one another in afirst stack which extends in a stacking direction; a second storagemagazine having compartments to store disc holders to that the discsaccommodated therein are disposed parallel to one another in a secondstack which extends in the stacking direction, the second storagemagazine being spaced apart from the first storage magazine; a playbackunit between the first and second storage magazines, the playback unithaving a turntable; transporting device means for selectively movingdisc holders and the discs they accommodate back and forth between thestorage magazines and the playback unit, the transporting device meansincludinga carrier member positioned to support a disc holder so thatthe disc accommodated therein is aligned with the turntable, firstextraction device means for moving disc holders an the discs theyaccommodate back and forth between the first storage magazine and thecarrier member along a path transverse to the stacking direction, secondextraction device means for moving disc holders and the discs theyaccommodate back and forth between the second storage magazine and thecarrier member along a path transverse to the stacking direction, andmeans for moving the carrier member along a carrier path which extendsin the stacking direction, the turntable being disposed adjacent an endof the carrier path; a housing in which the playback unit and thetransporting device means are mounted; first and second lock means forreleasably securing the first storage magazine to the housing, the firststorage magazine being pivotal about a pivot axis out of the housingafter release of the first lock means and being removable from thehousing after release of the second lock means; and first and secondfurther lock means for releasably securing the second storage magazineto the housing, the second storage magazine being pivotal about a pivotaxis out of the housing after release of the first further lock meansand being movable from the housing after release of the second furtherlock means.
 2. The disc player of claim 1, wherein the stackingdirection and the carrier path are generally vertical, wherein theturntable is disposed adjacent the bottom end of the carrier path,wherein the disc accommodated by a disc holder that is supported on thecarrier member is lifted from the disc holder and deposited on theturntable when the carrier member moves downward to the bottom end ofthe carrier path, and further comprising disc hold-down means, connectedto the transport device means, for pressing the disc against theturntable.
 3. The disc player of claim 1, wherein the second storagemagazine has opposite sides that are open, the second extraction devicemeans moving disc holders and the discs they accommodate back and forthbetween the second storage magazine and the carrier through one of theopen sides, and further comprising another playback unit, and anothertransporting device means for selectively moving disc holders and thediscs they accommodate back and forth between the second storagemagazine and the another playback unit through the other open side ofthe second storage magazine.
 4. The disc player of claim 1, furthercomprising a manually movable lever, and rod assembly means forconnecting the lever to the first and second lock means in such a mannerthat displacement of the lever in one direction releases the first lockmeans and displacement of the lever in the opposite direction releasesthe second lock means.
 5. The disc player of claim 1, wherein the firststorage magazine comprises oppositely disposed spring means forreleasably securing the disc holders in the compartments of the firststorage magazine in such a manner that portions of the disc holdersproject out of the first storage magazine for access by the firstextraction device means, and wherein the second storage magazinecomprises oppositely disposed spring means for releasably securing thedisc holders in the compartments of the second storage magazine in sucha manner that portions of the disc holders project out of the secondstorage magazine for access by the second extraction device means. 6.The disc player of claim 5, wherein the disc holders have oppositelydisposed long sides with recesses, wherein the first storage magazinehas guide grooves, and wherein the oppositely disposed spring means ofthe first storage magazine comprises a spring element having legsengaged in the guide grooves and having a crossbar with a central notchto engage a recess of a disc holder.
 7. A disc player for playing discs,comprising:a plurality of disc holders, each disc holder accommodatingone of the discs, each disc holder having oppositely disposed long sideswith recesses; a first storage magazine having compartments to storedisc holders so that the discs accommodate therein are disposed parallelto one another in a first stack which extends in a stacking direction,the first storage magazine having guide grooves; a second storagemagazine having compartments to store disc holders so that the discsaccommodated therein are disposed parallel to one another in a secondstack which extends in the stacking direction, the second storagemagazine being spaced apart from the first storage magazine, the secondstorage magazine having guide grooves; a playback unit between the firstand second storage magazines, the playback unit having a turntable; andtransporting device means for selectively moving disc holders and thediscs they accommodate back and forth between the storage magazines andthe playback unit, the transporting device means includinga carriermember positioned to support a disc holder so that the disc accommodatedtherein is aligned with the turntable, first extraction device means formoving disc holders and the discs they accommodate back and forthbetween the first storage magazine and the carrier member along a patchtransverse to the stacking direction, second extraction device means formoving disc holders and the discs they accommodate back and forthbetween the second storage magazine and the carrier member along a pathtransverse to the stacking direction, and means for moving the carriermember along a carrier path which extends in the stacking direction, theturntable being disposed adjacent an end of the carrier path, whereinthe first storage magazine includes oppositely disposed spring elementsfor releasably securing disc holders in the compartments of the firststorage magazine in such a manner that portions of the disc holdersproject out of the first storage magazine for access by the firstextraction device means, each spring element of the first storagemagazine having legs which are engaged in the guide grooves of the firststorage magazine and having a crossbar with a central notch to engage arecess of a disc holder, and wherein the second storage magazineincludes oppositely disposed spring elements for releasably securingdisc holders in the compartments of the second storage magazine in sucha manner that portions of the disc holders project out of the secondstorage magazine for access by the second extraction device means, eachspring element of the second storage magazine having legs which areengaged in the guide grooves of the second storage magazine and having acrossbar with a central notch to engage a recess of a disc holder. 8.The disc player of claim 7, wherein adjacent spring elements arecombined into a continuous band.
 9. The disc player of claim 7, whereineach disc holder has an underside with a plurality of nubs that aredisposed in a plane which passes through the recesses.
 10. The discplayer of claim 9, further comprising switch means, positioned tocooperate with a nub of each holder, for detecting the presence of discsin the compartments.
 11. The disc player of claim 7, wherein the discshave respective edge regions where no data are stored, and wherein eachdisc holder has a recess which accommodates a disc, the recess having aperiphery with a sloping portion and a vertical portion, the recessadditionally having a bottom with an opening into which the turntablecan be introduced, the bottom of the recess further having a shoulderedge which is divided into two facing segments so as to support a discat its edge region.
 12. The disc player of claim 7, wherein the firstextraction device means comprises a first gripping arm, wherein thesecond extraction device means comprises a second gripping arm, andwherein each disc holder has long sides with recesses to receive thegripping arms.
 13. The disc player of claim 12, wherein the firstextraction device means further comprises:a carriage mounted for backand forth movement between a start position and an end position, thestart position being adjacent the first storage magazine, the firstgripping arm being mounted on the carriage for movement between anextended position and a withdrawn position; means for holding the firstgripping arm in its withdrawn position when the carriage is at its startposition and for moving the first gripping arm to its extending positionand into a recess of one of the disc holders when the carriage moves outof its start position toward an intermediate position between the startand end positions, the means for holding includinga pivotally mountedangle lever, a stop lever articulated to the angle lever, and springmeans for biasing the angle lever; and stationary stop means for keepingthe first gripping arm in its extended position as the carriage movesbetween the intermediate position and the end position.
 14. The discplayer of claim 13, wherein the first extraction device means furthercomprises a stop angle member which delimits the start position, whereinthe first gripping arm has a recess, and wherein the stop lever ispositioned to engage the carriage as it moves into the start positionand to pivot the angle lever into engagement with the recess so as topull the first gripping arm to its withdrawn position.
 15. A disc playerfor playing discs, comprising:a plurality of disc holders, each discholder accommodating one of the discs, each disc holder having longsides with recesses; a first storage magazine having compartments tostore disc holders so that the discs accommodated therein are disposedparallel to one another in a first stack which extends in a stackingdirection; a second storage magazine having compartments to store discholders so that the discs accommodated therein are disposed parallel toone another in a second stack which extends in the stacking direction,the second storage magazine being spaced apart from the first storagemagazine; a playback unit between the first and second storagemagazines, the playback unit having a turntable; and transporting devicemeans for selectively moving disc holders and the discs they accommodateback and forth between the storage magazines and the playback unit, thetransporting device means includinga carrier member positioned tosupport a disc holder so that the disc accommodated therein is alignedwith the turntable, first extraction device means for moving discholders and the discs they accommodate back and forth between the firststorage magazine and the carrier member along a path transverse to thestacking direction, the first extraction device means including a firstgripping arm, second extraction device means for moving disc holders andthe discs they accommodate back and forth between the second storagemagazine and the carrier member along a path transverse to the stackingdirection, the second extraction device means including a secondgripping arm, and means for moving the carrier member along a carrierpath which extends in the stacking direction, the turntable beingdisposed adjacent an end of the carrier path, wherein the first grippingarm has a recess and the first extraction device means further includesa carriage mounted for back and forth movement between a start positionand an end position, the start position being adjacent the first storagemagazine, the first gripping arm being mounted on the carriage formovement between an extended position and a withdrawn position, a stopangle member which delimits the stop position, means for holding thefirst gripping arm in its withdrawn position when the carriage is at itsstart position and for moving the first gripping arm to its extendingposition and into one of the recess of one of the disc holders when thecarriage moves out of its start position toward an intermediate positionbetween the start and end positions, the means for holding including apivotally mounted angle lever, a stop lever articulated to the anglelever, the stop lever being positioned to engage the carriage as itmoves into the start position and to pivot the angle lever intoengagement with the recess in the first gripping arm so as to pull thefirst gripping arm to its withdrawn position, and spring means forbiasing the angle lever, and stationary stop means for keeping the firstgripping arm in its extended position as the carriage moves between theintermediate position and the end position.
 16. The disc player of claim15, wherein the angle lever has a predetermined position when thecarriage is at its start position, and further comprising means foroptically detecting when the angle lever is in the predeterminedposition so as to determine when the carriage is at its start position.17. A disc player for playing discs, comprising:a plurality of discholders, each disc holder accommodating one of the discs, each discholder having long sides with recesses; a first storage magazine havingcompartments to store disc holders so that the discs accommodatedtherein are disposed parallel to one another in a first stack whichextends in a stacking direction; a second storage magazine havingcompartments to store disc holders so that the discs accommodatedtherein are disposed parallel to one another in a second stack whichextends in the stacking direction, the second storage magazine beingspaced apart from the first storage magazine; a playback unit betweenthe first and second storage magazines, the playback unit having aturntable; and transporting device means for selectively moving discholders and the discs they accommodate back and forth between thestorage magazines and the playback unit, the transporting device meansincludinga carrier member positioned to support a disc holder so thatthe disc accommodated therein is aligned with the turntable, firstextraction device means for moving disc holders and the discs theyaccommodate back and forth between the first storage magazine and thecarrier member along a path transverse to the stacking direction, thefirst extraction device means including a first gripping ar, the firstgripping arm having a rear face, second extraction device means formoving disc holders and the discs they accommodate back and forthbetween the second storage magazine and the carrier member along a pathtransverse to the stacking direction, the second extraction device meansincluding a second gripping arm, a chassis on which the carrier and thefirst and second extraction device means are mounted, the chassis havingan upper portion, and means for moving the carrier member along acarrier path which extends in the stacking direction, the turntablebeing disposed adjacent an end of the carrier path, wherein the firstextraction device means further includes a carriage mounted for back andforth movement between a start position and an end position, the startposition being adjacent the first storage magazine, the first grippingarm being mounted on the carrier for movement between an extendedposition and a withdrawn position, means for holding the first grippingarm in its withdrawn position when the carriage is at its start positionand for moving the first gripping arm to its extending position and intoone of the recesses of one of the disc holders when the carriage movesout of its start position toward an intermediate position between thestart and end positions, the means for holding including a pivotallymounted angle lever, a stop lever articulated to the angle lever, andspring means for biasing the angle lever, and stationary stop means forkeeping the first gripping arm in its extended position as the carriagemoves between the intermediate position and the end position, thestationary stop means including a wall attached to the upper portion ofthe chassis and a round pin adjacent an end of the wall for engaging therear face of the first gripping arm.
 18. The disc player of claim 17,wherein the transporting device means further comprises a supportingrod, the carriage being slidably mounted on the supporting rod, andwherein the first extraction device means further comprises means fordriving the carriage, the means for the driving including a reversiblemotor, a belt that is operatively connected to the carriage, and meansfor coupling the motor to the belt, the means for coupling including aworm gear.
 19. The disc player of claim 18, wherein the belt is atoothed belt, and wherein the means for coupling the motor to the beltfurther comprises a drive wheel around which the belt is looped, and afriction coupling between the worm gear and the drive wheel.
 20. A discplayer for playing discs, comprising:a plurality of disc holders, eachdisc holder accommodating one of the discs; a first storage magazinehaving compartments to store disc holders so that the discs accommodatedtherein are disposed parallel to one another in a first stack whichextends in a stacking direction; a second storage magazine havingcompartments to store disc holders so that the discs accommodatedtherein are disposed parallel to one another in a second stack whichextends in the stacking direction, the second storage magazine beingspaced apart from the first storage magazine; a playback unit betweenthe first and second storage magazines, the playback unit having aturntable; and transporting device means for selectively moving discholders and the discs they accommodate back and forth between thestorage magazines and the playback unit, the transporting device meansincludinga carrier member positioned to support a disc holder so thatthe disc accommodated therein is aligned with the turntable, firstextraction device means for moving disc holders and the discs theyaccommodate back and forth between the first storage magazine and thecarrier member along a path transverse to the stacking direction, secondextraction device means for moving disc holders and the discs theyaccommodate back and forth between the second storage magazine and thecarrier member along a path transverse to the stacking direction, andmeans for moving the carrier member along a carrier path which extendsin the stacking direction, the turntable being disposed adjacent an endof the carrier path, wherein the first extraction device means includesa first carriage mounted for back and forth movement between a startposition and an end position, and first gripping means for gripping oneof the disc holders to the first carriage, the start position of thefirst carriage being adjacent the first storage magazine and the endposition of the first carriage being selected so that the one of thedisc holders gripped by the first gripping means is disposed at apredetermined position on the carrier member when the first carriage isat its end position, wherein the second extraction device means includesa second carriage mounted for back and forth movement between a startposition and an end position, and second gripping means for gripping oneof the disc holders to the second carriage, the start position of thesecond carriage being adjacent the second storage magazine and the endposition of the second carriage being selected so that the one of thedisc holders gripped by the second gripping means is disposed at thepredetermined position on the carrier member when the second carriage isat its end position, and wherein the first carriage abuts against thesecond carriage when the second carriage is in its start position andthe first carriage moves to its end position, and the second carriageabuts against the first carriage when the first carriage is in its startposition and the second carriage moves to its end position.
 21. The discplayer of claim 20, wherein the disc holders have light passageopenings, and further comprising means cooperating with the lightpassage openings for optically detecting when the disc accommodated inone of the disc holders has been moved to the predetermined position onthe carrier member.
 22. The disc player of claim 20, wherein the carriermember has a first end that is oriented toward the first storagemagazine and a second end that is oriented toward the second storagemagazine, and further comprising means adjacent each end of the carriermember for optically detecting when a disc holder has been moved to thepredetermined position on the carrier member.
 23. The disc player ofclaim 20, wherein the transporting device means further comprises achassis on which the carrier member and the first and second extractiondevice means are mounted, and a plurality of rods on which the chassisis slidably mounted, the rods extending in the stacking direction, andwherein the means for moving the carrier comprises a reversible motor,and double belt drive means for linking the motor to the chassis. 24.The disc drive of claim 23, wherein the motor is a stepping motor havinga shaft, and further comprising a vane wheel mounted on the shaft of themotor, and fork coupler means through which the vane wheel passes forgenerating positioning pulses.
 25. The disc player of claim 20, whereinthe stacking direction and the carrier path are generally vertical,wherein the turntable is disposed adjacent the bottom end of the carrierpath, wherein the disc accommodated by a disc holder that is supportedon the carrier member is lifted from the disc holder and deposited onthe turntable when the carrier member moves downward to the bottom endof the carrier path, and further comprising disc hold-down means,connected to the transport device means, for pressing the disc againstthe turntable.
 26. The disc player of claim 25, wherein the playbackunit further comprises a magnetizable drive shaft for the turntable, andwherein the disc hold-down means comprises a holding arm parallel to thecarrier member, and a holding head mounted on the holding arm, theholding head including a disc press-on insert, means for mounting thedisc press-on insert so that it is longitudinally displaceable and freeto swing back and forth, and a magnet mounted on the disc press-oninsert, the magnet cooperating with the magnetizable drive shaft. 27.The disc player of claim 26, wherein the holding head further comprisesan elastomer ring mounted on the disc press-on insert.
 28. The discplayer of claim 26, wherein the holding head further comprises apartition having an opening, and wherein the means for mounting the discpress-on insert comprises an element having a conical end, the elementextending through the opening in the partition and being connected tothe disc press-on insert.
 29. The disc player of claim 25, wherein theplayback unit further comprises a magnetizable drive shaft for theturntable, and wherein the disc hold-down means comprises a holding armparallel to the carrier member, and a holding head mounted on theholding arm, the holding head including a disc press-on insert, amagnetizable metal plate, and magnetic means connected to the discpress-on insert for urging the disc press-on insert toward themagnetizable metal plate when the holding head is spaced apart from theturntable and for urging the disc press-on insert toward themagnetizable drive shaft when the holding head is close to theturntable.
 30. The disc player of claim 29, wherein the holding headfurther comprises a cover with an underside, the magnetizable metalplate being clipped onto the underside of the cover, and wherein themagnetic means comprises a magnet, and a magnetizable metal rod disposedbetween the magnet and the magnetizable metal plate.
 31. A disc playerfor playing discs, comprising:a plurality of disc holders having lightpassage openings, each disc holder accommodating one of the discs; afirst storage magazine having compartments to store disc holders so thatthe discs accommodated therein are disposed parallel to one another in afirst stack which extends in a stacking direction; a second storagemagazine having compartments to store disc holders so that the discsaccommodated therein are disposed parallel to one another in a secondstack which extends in the stacking direction, the second storagemagazine being spaced apart from the first storage magazine; a playbackunit between the first and second storage magazines, the playback unithaving a turntable; transporting device means for selectively movingdisc holders and the discs they accommodate back and forth between thestorage magazines and the playback unit, the transporting device meansincludinga carrier member positioned to support a disc holder so thatthe disc accommodated therein is aligned with the turntable, firstextraction device means for moving disc holders and the discs theyaccommodate back and forth between the first storage magazine and thecarrier member along a path transverse to the stacking direction, secondextraction device means for moving disc holders and the discs theyaccommodate back and forth between the second storage magazine and thecarrier member along a path transverse to the stacking direction, andmeans for moving the carrier member along a carrier path which extendsin the stacking direction, the turntable being disposed adjacent an endof the carrier path; and means cooperating with the light passageopenings of the disc holders for optically detecting when the discaccommodated in one of the disc holders has been moved to apredetermined position on the carrier member.
 32. A disc player forplaying discs, comprising:a plurality of disc holders, each disc holderaccommodating one of the discs; a first storage magazine havingcompartments to store disc holders so that the discs accommodatedtherein are disposed parallel to one another in a first stack whichextends in a generally vertical stacking direction; a second storagemagazine having compartments to store disc holders so that the discsaccommodated therein are disposed parallel to one another in a secondstack which extends in the stacking direction, the second storagemagazine being spaced apart from the first storage magazine; a playbackunit between the first and second storage magazines, the playback unithaving a turntable and a magnetizable drive shaft for the turntable;transporting device means for selectively moving disc holders and thediscs they accommodate back and forth between the storage magazines andthe playback unit, the transporting device means includinga carriermember positioned to support a disc holder so that the disc accommodatedtherein is aligned with the turntable, first extraction device means formoving disc holders and the discs they accommodate back and forthbetween the first storage magazine and the carrier member along a pathtransverse to the stacking direction, second extraction device means formoving disc holders and the discs they accommodate back and forthbetween the second storage magazine and the carrier member along a pathtransverse to the stacking direction, and means for moving the carrieralong a generally vertical carrier path having a bottom end, theturntable being disposed adjacent the bottom end of the carrier path,the carrier and the turntable being arranged such that the discaccommodated by a disc holder that is supported on the carrier member islifted from the disc holder and deposited on the turntable when thecarrier member moves to the bottom end of the carrier path; and dischold-down means, connected to the transport device means, for pressingthe disc against the turntable, the disc hold-down means including aholding arm parallel to the carrier member, and a holding head mountedon the holding arm, the holding head includinga cover having anunderside, a disc press-on insert, a magnetizable metal plate clippedonto the underside of the cover, and magnetic means connected to thedisc press-on insert for urging the disc press-on insert toward themagnetizable metal plate when the holding head is spaced apart from theturntable and for urging the disc press-on insert toward themagnetizable drive shaft when the holding head is close to theturntable, the magnetic means including a magnet, and a magnetizablemetal rod disposed between the magnet and the magnetizable metal plate.33. The disc player of claim 32, wherein the disc press-on insert has aperiphery and an underside, and includes three nubs on its undersideadjacent its periphery, the nubs being spaced at 120° intervals andurging a disc onto the turntable when the magnet is close to themagnetizable drive shaft.
 34. The disc player of claim 32, furthercomprising a drawer adjacent the first storage magazine and movablebetween an open position and a closed position, the drawer holding adisc holder so that a disc accommodated therein can be manuallyexchanged when the drawer is in its open position, the disc accommodatedby the disc holder in the drawer being disposed in the first stack andbeing accessible to the transporting device means when the drawer is inits closed position.
 35. A disc player for playing discs, comprising:aplurality of disc holders, each disc holder accommodating one of thediscs; a first storage magazine having compartments to store discholders so that the discs accommodated therein are disposed parallel toone another in a first stack which extends in a generally verticalstacking direction; a second storage magazine having compartments tostore disc holders so that the discs accommodated therein are disposedparallel to one another in a second stack which extends in the stackingdirection, the second storage magazine being spaced apart from the firststorage magazine; a playback unit between the first and second storagemagazines, the playback unit having a turntable; transporting devicemeans for selectively moving disc holders and the discs they accommodateback and forth between the storage magazines and the playback unit, thetransporting device means includinga carrier member positioned tosupport a disc holder so that the disc accommodated therein is alignedwith the turntable, first extraction device means for moving discholders and the discs they accommodate back and forth between the firststorage magazine and the carrier member along a path transverse to thestacking direction, second extraction device means for moving discholders and the discs they accommodate back and forth between the secondstorage magazine and the carrier member along a path transverse to thestacking direction, and means for moving the carrier member along agenerally vertical carrier path having a bottom end, the turntable beingdisposed adjacent the bottom end of the carrier path, an operator key;means responsive to the operator key for actuating the means for movingso as to move the carrier member to the top end of the carrier path andthen to the bottom end; and another operator key for switching on theplayback unit.